Diary of a Wimpy Kid tells the stories of Greg Heffley, the twelve year old who makes everyone laugh. His slightly condescending, but also world-weary and sarcastic style makes for a hysterically funny book, especially his various criticisms of family members.

The main focus of the plot is Greg's family, and how his Dad wants Greg to "Man up and lose the wimpy ways" while Mom wants more reading and writing. Roderick the older brother is your timeworn stereotypical American teen "bro", the member of a loud heavy-metal band and the proud possessor of various random and useless skills-like bullying Greg. And then-there's Manny. Manny is Greg's youngest brother, a tiny little, obnoxious and annoying toddler. The way Greg talks about him is hilarious, as is his disdain for Rodrick.

Greg finds himself in ridiculously…but strangely plausible (!!!) situations, and always seems to wriggle out of them in ridiculous…but strangely plausible ways! Some of this book is really cleverly written, especially the more humorous parts.

However, it ain't all wonderful. For one thing: the age range this book is targeted at, is an age in which books should start to introduce some real messages in between all the fun and joy. Basically: somewhere, even if it's just a sentence, the book should say something about the world, about the society we live in-even if it's just a sentence. That's my belief, and I really do think that if children only read trash, then they are not going to have a thought worth listening to in their heads. No, Diary of a Wimpy Kid isn't trash, but the closest thing to criticism of society I can find in this book is the running commentary on Greg's school (yep, it's your stereotypical state school…just like the stereotypical older brother, the stereotypical middle school dance…you get my drift)

So yes! read Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but after that, read something of substance. Because this is the kind of book which is fun first, and then becomes lethal if it's the kind of thing you read the rest of your lives. My overall analysis of the book is:

It's not perfect-it's chock full of clichés and some weak jokes…but it's also worth reading if you want something light, funny and you've got a long summer holiday ahead of you. One thing I will admit-Jeff Kinney has a WICKED sense of humour.

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